Senate approves changes to NH pre-buy contracts

Senate gives preliminary OK to changes to home heating pre-buy contracts in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Senate has given preliminary approval to changing when fuel dealers can contract with customers to buy fuel in advance.

Thursday's vote was in response to disruptions in home heating oil deliveries this winter by one of New Hampshire's largest fuel companies. The bill next goes to the Senate budget committee for review.

The bill would prohibit dealers from advertising or soliciting earlier than May 1 for consumers to enter into contracts for the upcoming fuel season. Currently, the contracts can't be offered before Jan. 1.

Consumers could sign contracts before May 1 at their request.

This winter, hundreds of customers complained about delivery problems with Fred Fuller Oil Co. The company blamed the problems on extreme weather conditions, a huge increase in demand and its phone system.

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